Shinjig is a six-piece band which combines traditional, original and classic tunes with irresistible, toe-tapping rhythms that leaves audiences both happy and exhausted. Shinjig also performs as an acoustic quartet suitable for more intimate events.

Audiences are put through their paces by the band's experienced and versatile caller who caters for all levels of ability; the choice of dances is tailored to suit the audience on the night.

If you are looking for a ceilidh band to make your special event complete, you’ve come to the right place. Shinjig offer an exciting take on traditional music which is accessible to all.

"As for the live music... some notable highlights: Oysterband and The Dylan Project as usual, and a couple of interesting ones: Shinjig and Jiggery Pipery."

Folkcast, the UK’s Premier Folk magazine podcast

"Highlights for me were Shinjig, Jiggery Pipery and The Dylans."

Talkawhile folk forum

"Shinjig took a big chance getting the dancing going but it worked!"

Talkawhile folk forum

"We very much enjoyed your performance at Skegness on Sunday."

Robert Smith

"Just a note about the gig at Butlins. In a word - fantastic !"

Colin Harrison

"Heaps of praise for your Butlin’s gig: Are you coming to Shrewsbury Folk Festival this year and if not, why not?!"

"Totally impressed by Shinjig: a caller with a great sense of humour; a great fiddler, Simon Chantler; a very tight cohesive melodic sound and excellent to dance to."

"You guys were awesome! We had heaps of comments about how amazing you sounded; including people from the Liverpool Philharmonic, Opera North and BBC Philharmonic - your music was hugely appreciated by everyone."

"The barn dancing went down so well with our guests, it was clear that everyone was having so much fun, and all your chat and attempts to teach us the steps was the perfect balance of humour and patience! We would not hesitate to, and could not recommend you highly enough to any of our chums."

Hugh Bradley

Guitar/Whistle/Flute

Simon Chantler

Fiddle

Duncan Evans

Guitar/Vocals

Peadar Long

Saxophone/Woodwind

Mal Siswick

Bass

Pete Spencer

Drums

Huw Evans

Mandolin/Caller

Ex-Whisky Priest and Malkie, Hugh Bradley plays and records with some of the top names in English folk performing on a range of instruments including Dave, his beloved double bass. In Shinjig he restricts himself to guitar, flute and whistle, a decision born partly from a deep-seated admiration of classic rockers Jethro Tull, and partly because he loves to rock! He now wields a PRS 'axe' and has an amp that goes up to twelve. That is of course, as any fool knows, two louder. His background in both traditional and electric music means he is much in demand. Amongst his extensive claims to fame is his contribution on bass to Steve Tilston’s BBC Best Original Folk Song of the Year award-winner The Reckoning.

Simon Chantler, another ex Whisky Priest, drives the melody. Professional by the age of seventeen, Simon's fiddle playing is very much sought-after, and he plays with a variety of grateful acts ranging from concerts to ceilidhs with impeccable creativity and professionalism. Simon is equally proficient on a range of other stringed instruments including the mandolin and mandola. A key member of ‘Red Hippo’, ‘Kelly’s Heroes’ and ‘A Rookery’, amongst other bands, he was recommended by none other than living legend Gina Lefaux. Simon plays with an imagination and fire that is inspirational.

Duncan Evans was a lucky find for the band: finding ourselves without the services of Hugh for a string of gigs over the summer he was recommended to us as a player of substantial versatility on both electric and acoustic guitar. Not only that, he also sings. Despite making the rest of us look positively geriatric we have decided to let him stay!

Peadar Long, saxophonist and woodwind player, is something of a legend in folk circles: he began to play as a young lad in Ireland in show bands and has dedicated his life to music. He has played with the most, if not all, of the great and good on the folk scene and has toured extensively in foreign parts, once returning from New York to fulfil an obligation in London. Yorkshire folk enthusiasts with a long memory will fondly recall seminal Seventies folk band Kitsyke Will. More recently he’s graced the stages of folk festivals up and down the country playing in Red Hippo with Simon.

Mal Siswick, as many of our audiences will have noticed, plays bass. It is fair to say that he likes his bass to be heard. Possibly uniquely in the ceilidh/folk dance world, Mal used to use a bass cabinet with four eighteen inch speakers in it. Ever since we managed to convince him that this might be a touch of over-kill, Mal has looked a tad wistful. This has not prevented him from laying down some of the most brilliant bass lines ever heard in the history of, well, bass lines. He has been a musician, roadie and technician his whole life and has had more musical highs than most.

Stalwart sticksman and star, world-touring been there and done it musical hero and lifelong professional Pete Spencer lends a touch of glamour to the proceedings. He has played with many of the world’s top musical artists including the Telecaster giant Jerry Donahue, international singing star Chris Norman and a veritable who’s who of pop and rock performers. He is one of a select number of musicians currently working in the folk genre to have played on Top of the Pops during its golden years in the 1970’s.

And what can we say of mandola-picking caller Huw Evans? Having cut his teeth with Holme Valley legendary song-band ‘Jigby” and working for many years as a member of the Holmfirth festival committee, he was recruited into calling for ceilidhs in the eighties. He swiftly carved a niche as a popular and in-demand performer, working with some of Yorkshire’s best acts including ‘Heckety’, ‘Trinculo’, ‘The Rhythm Chaps’, Tom Napper, Gina Lefaux and ‘Hooke’s Law’. Clients often comment on his clarity of explanation, his humour and his ability to pitch the dances fight for the audience. He also proudly plays a pair of fine Paul Shippey mandolas and considers himself to be very lucky!

Great British Folk Festival

Skegness 2010

Big Folk Weekend

Butlins 2012

Jimmy Wards and

Morrisons Jigs

"Thank you for the fantastic evening on Saturday - the fourth ceilidh I’ve been to and the best by far."

"West Yorkshire based ceilidh band Shinjig provided the music for the liveliest ceilidh I had yet seen."

"Friday night's ceilidh band, Shinjig, proved to be so popular that the dance floor was just not big enough.”

"Thank you so much for playing at our wedding yesterday - it was just fabulous and everyone had such a good time dancing. We loved it!"

"To Huw and the rest of the band, thank you for making our day so special."

"Just wanted to say a BIG thank you to you and the rest of Shinjig for a fabulous evening. You gauged your audience perfectly and made the evening such fun. I would not hesitate to recommend you to others."

"I really loved the way you included everyone, even the smallest kids, and your sense of humour. Everyone has raved about you and the band.”

"Thank you so much for playing at our wedding earlier this year. We had a fantastic time, and many of our friends and family told us how much they enjoyed the music and dancing. If you ever need a recommendation just let us know!"

Feel free to use this handy form to get in touch, whether you want to ask us a question, make a suggestion, book us to play or just tell us how awesome you think we are.

If you have photos or videos of us in action and you're happy to let us use them on our site give us a shout, we're always on the lookout for new stuff. We will, of course, provide credit and links where appropriate.

"Yes, yes and yes again as to us definitely wanting you to play at our wedding. We thought you were excellent."

"After enjoying a wonderful evening with you in November last year courtesy of the Leeds University Bellringers we were wondering if Shinjig would be available to assist with our wedding celebrations."

"The band was such an important part of our wedding day and you were all fantastic!! Everyone commented on how good the band was."

"My wife & I (sounds so formal) would also like to offer thanks to you and the band for a splendid evening. As you could see we aren't professional dancers by any means, but everyone without exception commented on how good you were."

"Thank you so so much Huw and Shinjig for performing at our wedding, you all were absolutely incredible and you made our evening reception perfect. I have literally never had more fun in my life!!"

"Your music and singing was superb and everyone commented on how much they loved the Ceilidh dancing. I'm just sorry we didn't get chance to thank you properly on the night. I'll be letting all my friends know just how excellent you've been!"

"Massive thank you for yesterday evening! You always put on such a fantastic show"

"Everyone had an amazing time and thanks to your calling the English lads managed to string together a semi decent ceilidh! We both had so many comments about how good the set was and we’ve converted a few to the Scottish way of partying!"

"Thanks again for making an already awesome day truly unforgettable!"

"Thank you so much, it's was such a fab night and you were great! Everyone loved it!"